NOTE: This is my post for yesterday, May 6, but I realized when I woke up this morning that I forgot to publish it last night. So, technically, I’m still doing my part in the blog-a-thon.
Keeping in the same vein as my last post, this is one of my recent discoveries to help keep clutter at bay. I just wish I would have thought of it sooner!
For Logan’s fourth birthday in March, I asked the family to give him disposable items, such as helium balloons, party hats or bubbles. It was perfect for everyone — no one had to spend much money, Logan was thrilled with his gifts and I was relieved that I didn’t have to add anything to the overstuffed toy box. I hadn’t ever done this before, but it turned out so well, I think I’ll make it routine. Just disposable/throw-away gifts or books from now on. My kids have shelves of books, but those, I won’t give away.
A big gift that a child really wants, given by parents and/or grandparents, along with the aforementioned disposable gifts, seems to be the best way to inspire gratitude and keep overspending and overspoiling at a minimum. I’m tired of feeling guilty about the number of toys we have accumulated. It seems so wasteful when there are millions of people in the world without food, clean water or decent health care.
The girls’ tenth birthday is coming up in June. We’ll probably get them new bikes, since they’ve outgrown their old ones, and other relatives can give them gum, bubbles, books and maybe games for their Game Boys or batteries for their digital camera.
I want to do a better job of passing on a sense of frugality and simplicity to my kids. They have so much more than I did as a child, mostly because many things are a lot more inexpensive now than they were back in my day. Yet since they don’t know any differently, they take all their ”stuff” for granted. I want them to learn to be grateful for everything they get, rather than expecting it.
What are some ways you’ve found to help fight the war on collecting too much stuff? How about to help your kids be thankful for what they’re given?
Yes, I *love* disposable gifts! You have no idea (well, probably you *do*) how hard it is to get rid of something just because “it was a gift” — regardless of how old, ugly, out of date, and/or in the way it is! I read a de-cluttering book years ago in which the author (for some reason, Don Aslet is coming to mind? not sure of the spelling, or if it’s even in the same ballpark!) said that the *point* of the gift was accomplished in the giving and the receiving, and it makes no more sense to keep a 5-year-old teddy bear just because you received it for Valentine’s Day than it would to keep the candy box and wrappers you got then. I’ve tried to remember that and implement it for myself, as well as the kids.
I have been blessed with six children and many generous friends and family members… My home can only hold so much “stuff”!!! For the christmas holiday, I have asked family far away not to incurr the additional cost of shipping, but rather, donate what they would have given to my kids to a local charity (toys 4 tots or jesse tree, etc.) in their name & tell my kids about it in their christmas card.
Also, outings are what my kids love most, not more things to have to pick up off the floor at the end of the day…. People have been giving the kids movie theatre, movie rental & restaurant gift certificates which gives us an incentive to go out more. Hope this helps others, too!
Kathy, I love that about keeping a teddy bear for 5 years is the same as keeping the candy box and wrappers. I never thought of it that way, so that’s a good rule of thumb.
Yes, I believe it is Don Aslett you’re thinking of. My mom has always been a huge fan, so that’s why I know. =)
Stephanie, I really like your outings idea. That’s an awesome way to keep more stuff out of the house. I love the donations idea as well. There are so many people who are less fortunate than we are.
Thanks for the great ideas!
Sarah
I actually prefer things like tickets to a show, or a museum membership, movie tickets, etc. I prefer “adventures” and life experiences to another piece of plastic that will gather dust. It’s worked out great with the passes to things and we always remind the kids that grandma/grandpa gave them the fun day they’re having..